Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson slams Japan’s new defense document, warns against Tokyo’s resurgence of militarism

In response to Japan's recently released 2025 Defense of Japan pamphlet, which claimed China as an "unprecedented and the greatest strategic challenge," falsely accused China of attempting "unilateral changes to the status quo by force," and made inappropriate remarks on the Taiwan question, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin said on Wednesday that Japan, in an attempt to find excuse for its military expansion, had fabricated false narratives, grossly hyped the "China threat," and blatantly interfered in China's internal affairs. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this and has already lodged solemn representations with Japan.

Japanese militarism once inflicted profound suffering on China and other Asian neighbors. Instead of seriously reflecting on its past, Japan is once again showing dangerous tendencies toward military expansion - significantly increasing its defense budget, steadily loosening restrictions on arms exports, forming small military blocs to promote confrontation, and even suggesting revisions to its Three Non-Nuclear Principles. These actions gravely violate Japan's Peace Constitution and its exclusively defense-oriented policy, severely undermine the post-war international order, and pose a serious challenge to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. They have already triggered deep concern and heightened vigilance among neighboring Asian countries and the broader international community, Jiang said.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's recovery. The return of Taiwan to China in 1945 is an important part of the fruits of victory in World War II and the post-war international order. We urge Japan to profoundly learn from historical lessons, stop smearing and accusing China, earnestly abide by the spirit of the four China-Japan political documents and its commitments on the Taiwan question, and take concrete actions to promote the sound and stable development of China-Japan relations, the Chinese spokesperson said.